This article is based on an official press release from RTX.

Raytheon and AWS Partner to Enhance Space Mission Capabilities with Cloud and AI

Raytheon, a business of RTX, has announced a strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) aimed at transforming satellite data processing and mission control operations. The partnership, unveiled on December 4, 2025, focuses on deploying scalable cloud-based solutions to support national security objectives and improve the agility of space-based systems.

By integrating AWS’s cloud infrastructure with Raytheon’s space systems expertise, the collaboration seeks to address the growing complexity of space operations. The initiative will leverage advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to enhance decision-making and operational coordination for government and commercial customers.

Integrating Cloud and Edge Computing for Space

The core of the agreement involves the deployment of AWS services to modernize how mission data is processed and managed. According to the company’s announcement, Raytheon will utilize AWS AI and ML services, specifically Amazon SageMaker and Amazon Bedrock, to revolutionize software development and mission operations. These tools are expected to help customers reduce mission costs while increasing program flexibility.

A key component of the collaboration is the focus on “edge” capabilities. Raytheon plans to bring mission management directly to the tactical edge using the AWS Outpost family of services. This suite of fully managed solutions allows AWS infrastructure to run in virtually any on-premises or edge location, creating a consistent hybrid experience for operators who may be working in disconnected or bandwidth-constrained environments.

Erich Hernandez-Baquero, vice president of Space Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance at Raytheon, emphasized the operational benefits of this technological integration:

Our customers rely on Raytheon to solve their most complex problems across space, data processing, command and control, and mission management functions. This collaboration with AWS empowers our teams to accelerate responsible AI innovation, increase agility while maintaining the highest levels of security, optimize resources, and strengthen systems to drive effective results for our customers.

Advanced Command and Control

Beyond data processing, the partnership aims to upgrade constellation command and control systems. The companies plan to implement modular, software-defined systems capable of more efficient task scheduling and asset coordination. By using serverless technologies, Raytheon intends to build scalable mission management architectures that can rapidly incorporate new capabilities as threats and requirements evolve.

The collaboration is already active, with Raytheon and AWS executing programs for various government and commercial clients. David Appel, vice president of U.S. Federal at AWS, highlighted the strategic alignment between the two organizations:

This collaboration unites the security, reliability, and higher levels of availability from AWS with Raytheon’s space systems expertise to create new possibilities for our customers in the space industry. This relationship embodies our customer-obsessed approach, driving innovations that boost mission performance, cost efficiency, and operational agility.

AirPro News Analysis

This partnership underscores a broader trend in the defense industrial base, where traditional prime contractors are increasingly leaning on commercial hyperscalers to solve data-intensive challenges. As space domains become more contested and congested, the ability to process data at the “edge”, on the satellite or ground station immediately, rather than sending it back to a central server is becoming a critical requirement for national security. By adopting commercial standards like AWS Outpost and Amazon Bedrock, Raytheon is positioning its space portfolio to be more interoperable and faster to upgrade than legacy, bespoke government systems.

Sources

• RTX

This article summarizes reporting by The Insider and United24 Media.

Russian Cosmonaut Removed from SpaceX Crew-12 Following Alleged Security Breach

In a significant development for international space cooperation, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev has been removed from the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). While official channels cite a routine career move, investigative reporting suggests the removal stems from a serious violation of U.S. export control laws involving unauthorized photography of sensitive Space-Agencies technology.

According to reporting by The Insider and United24 Media, the incident occurred at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, in late November 2025. The mission, targeting a launch in February 2026, will proceed with a replacement cosmonaut, Andrey Fedyaev, taking the empty seat. The abrupt change in personnel less than three months before Launch has raised questions regarding security protocols within the NASA-Roscosmos “seat-swap” program.

Allegations of ITAR Violations

The core of the controversy involves the alleged mishandling of proprietary technology protected under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Sources cited by The Insider claim that during a training session, Artemyev used a personal smartphone to photograph confidential internal documents and SpaceX rocket engines. These images were reportedly removed from the secure facility, constituting a potential “deemed export” violation under U.S. law.

ITAR regulations are notoriously strict regarding foreign nationals. Merely exposing technical data to a non-U.S. person can be considered an export; photographing and removing that data is a severe breach. Launch analyst Georgy Trishkin, referenced in the reports, noted that removing a crew member this close to a mission without a medical justification is highly irregular, pointing toward a significant infraction rather than a standard administrative change.

Official Narratives vs. Reported Reality

There is a distinct divergence between the explanation provided by the Russian state space corporation and the details emerging from investigative journalists.

Roscosmos Statement

Roscosmos has publicly downplayed the event, attributing the personnel change to a career transition. In a statement regarding Artemyev’s removal, the agency said:

“In connection with his transfer to another job.”

, Roscosmos official statement

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Silence from U.S. Partners

As of this writing, neither NASA nor SpaceX has issued a detailed public comment confirming the specific allegations. This silence is consistent with standard operating procedures during active interagency investigations, particularly those involving sensitive ITAR compliance and international diplomatic partners.

Background: Oleg Artemyev

Oleg Artemyev is a veteran cosmonaut with significant experience, having logged 560 days in orbit across three previous ISS missions. However, his tenure has not been without political controversy. He currently serves as a deputy in the Moscow City Duma representing the “United Russia” party.

In July 2022, Artemyev drew international condemnation from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) after he and fellow cosmonauts posed with anti-Ukraine propaganda flags aboard the ISS. This prior conduct, combined with the new allegations of security breaches at SpaceX, complicates the narrative of his sudden departure from the Crew-12 manifest.

The Replacement: Andrey Fedyaev

To ensure the Crew-12 mission remains on schedule for early 2026, Roscosmos has appointed Andrey Fedyaev as the replacement. Fedyaev is considered a logical choice to minimize training delays; he previously flew on the SpaceX Crew-6 mission between March and September 2023. His familiarity with the Dragon spacecraft systems allows for a rapid integration into the crew, mitigating the operational impact of Artemyev’s removal.

AirPro News Analysis

The removal of a high-profile Russian cosmonaut from a U.S. commercial spacecraft highlights the fragility of the current “seat-swap” agreement. While the partnership was designed to ensure mixed crews on both Soyuz and Dragon vehicles for safety redundancy, incidents like this test the limits of technical cooperation amidst geopolitical tension.

From an operational standpoint, the breach raises serious questions about internal security enforcement at SpaceX. If the allegations are accurate, the ability of a foreign national to bring a recording device into a restricted area and photograph propulsion technology suggests a lapse in protocol that U.S. authorities will likely scrutinize heavily. However, the swift appointment of Fedyaev suggests that both NASA and Roscosmos are prioritizing the continuity of ISS operations over a prolonged diplomatic standoff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ITAR?
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a U.S. regulatory regime that controls the manufacture, sale, and distribution of defense and space-related articles and services. It strictly limits access to sensitive technology by foreign nationals.

When is SpaceX Crew-12 scheduled to launch?
The mission is currently targeting a launch in February 2026.

Has Oleg Artemyev been banned from future flights?
While Roscosmos has only stated he is transferring to another job, ITAR violations can carry penalties including permanent bans from accessing U.S. aerospace facilities, which would effectively prevent him from flying on U.S. vehicles or training at NASA facilities in the future.

Sources

• United24 Media
• The Insider

This article is based on an official corporate news release from Boeing.

Boeing X-37B Accelerates “Learning at Pace” for U.S. Space Force

The U.S. Space Force is undergoing a significant strategic shift from static, long-duration satellite programs to rapid, iterative testing, a concept known as “learning at pace.” According to a recent corporate release from Boeing, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) has become the central engine for this strategy, enabling military scientists to test, return, and refine technologies with unprecedented speed.

By leveraging the reusable nature of the X-37B, the Space Force has established a “fly, fix, fly” cycle that compresses years of development into months. This capability was highlighted by two major events in 2025: the successful aerobraking maneuver and landing of the OTV-7 mission in March, and the rapid turnaround launch of OTV-8 in August.

Validating Dynamic Space Operations

A key focus of the recent missions has been the validation of “Dynamic Space Operations” (DSO). Unlike traditional satellites, which often remain in fixed orbits for 15 years or more due to fuel constraints, DSO requires assets that can maneuver freely to avoid threats or inspect other objects.

The Aerobraking Milestone

During the OTV-7 mission, which concluded with a landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 7, 2025, the X-37B successfully performed a novel aerobraking maneuver. Boeing reports that instead of expending fuel to lower its orbit, the spacecraft dipped into Earth’s upper atmosphere, utilizing atmospheric drag to decelerate and alter its trajectory.

This maneuver is critical for the future of military spaceflight. By conserving vast amounts of fuel, satellites can remain in orbit longer and maintain the energy reserves necessary for unexpected maneuvers. General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, emphasized the importance of this achievement in a statement regarding the test:

“This first-of-a-kind maneuver from the X-37B is an incredibly important milestone for the United States Space Force as we seek to expand our aptitude and ability to perform in this challenging domain.”

Rapid Turnaround and OTV-8

Demonstrating the “pace” in “learning at pace,” the X-37B fleet underwent a rapid refurbishment following the March landing. According to mission data, the vehicle was prepped and relaunched for the OTV-8 mission in August 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. This turnaround of under six months underscores the program’s operational tempo.

The current OTV-8 mission is reportedly testing next-generation technologies essential for resilient space architecture. These include laser communications systems and quantum inertial sensors, which are designed to provide accurate navigation data even in environments where GPS signals are jammed or unavailable.

The “Fly, Fix, Fly” Feedback Loop

Boeing highlights that the X-37B’s primary value lies in its ability to return hardware to Earth for physical inspection, a capability not possible with traditional one-way satellite launches. This “learning loop” allows engineers to examine how materials degrade in the harsh space environment and refine designs based on physical evidence rather than telemetry alone.

Recent experiments have included:

• NASA Biological Research: OTV-7 carried plant seeds to test radiation effects. Returning these seeds allows scientists to grow them on Earth to identify genetic changes, which is vital data for future long-duration human spaceflight.
• Service Module Disposal: The program tested a new method for ejecting the service module to minimize space debris, aligning with “responsible space” protocols.

AirPro News Analysis

The emphasis on “learning at pace” appears to be a direct response to the accelerating capabilities of near-peer adversaries. With China operating its own reusable spaceplane, the Shenlong, the U.S. military is prioritizing speed of innovation over the longevity of individual assets. The X-37B has effectively transitioned from a platform often perceived by the public as a “spy plane” to a high-velocity technology incubator.

By mastering techniques like aerobraking, the U.S. Space Force is not just testing a single vehicle but validating a method to extend the life and maneuverability of future satellite constellations. If operational satellites can change orbits “for free” using physics rather than limited fuel reserves, they become significantly harder for adversaries to track or target, thereby enhancing the resilience of American space infrastructure.

Sources: Boeing, U.S. Space Force